An appellate court has upheld the sentence and conviction of a Jersey City woman serving 40 years in prison for setting a fire that killed a 7-week-old boy and injured his mother and 3-year-old brother, all because of a dispute over $10.
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Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Michael D’Andrea said yesterday that he is “very pleased” with the ruling in the case of Kamila Cason, 29, who maintained her innocence and showed no remorse when sentenced on Feb. 7, 2009.

On Dec. 11, 2008, a jury deliberated four hours before convicting Cason of the felony murder of Lucas Gwinnett and three counts of aggravated arson.

On June 4, 2005, Cason set several separate fires in her first-floor apartment in a two-story building at 262 Duncan Ave., just before midnight, after arguing with her roommate over the money.

Seven-week-old Lucas Gwinnett, his 3-year-old brother Jude, and his mother, Jennifer Gwinnett, lived on the second floor, where the windows had bars on them. Any possible escape down the stairs was blocked by heavy smoke.

All three were injured in the blaze, which claimed Lucas’ life despite efforts to save him.

In her appeal, Cason argued, among other things, that the court erred in denying her a motion for a judgment of acquittal, D’Andrea had acted improperly during the trial, and the court had committed sentencing errors.

In a long opinion, the appellate court said the jury’s finding of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence. It said the allegation D’Andrea acted improperly was without merit even “to warrant discussion.”

Finally, the appellate court ruled “the sentence was within the statutory range and the court’s findings were supported by sufficient credible evidence contained in the record.”

In April 2009, Cason was also sentenced to eight years in prison for an Essex County robbery. She is serving her prison sentences at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in Clinton and she will not become eligible for parole until June 2039, corrections records say.

Cason has also gone by the names Karen Smith and Kearen Smith, corrections records say.

Cason has the option of seeking to have the appellate ruling overturned by the New Jersey Supreme Court.